DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR REPORTS. MUSCAT. REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1908-09 ON THE TRADE OF MUSCAT. EDITED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE AND THE Board of Trade. REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS REPORT, Annual Series No. 4085. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty, LONDON: PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY. And to be purchased either directly or through any Bookseller, from Price One Penny. Cd. 4962-4.] Reference to previous Report, Annual Series No. 4085. Report on the Trade of Muscat for the Year 1908-09 By MR. CONSUL HOLLAND. Total trade.—The statistics submitted with this report have been compiled from returns of exports and imports furnished by the Customs Department of His Highness's Government. The total value of the export and import trade for the year under review is put down at 987,410l. against 939,4681. for the previous year. The increase therefore is 47,9421., or a little over 5 per cent. The increase occurs mainly under the heads of Rangoon rice imported from Bombay and American sheeting imported from Aden. د, 66 The combined figures for imports and exports, excluding those under "Arms and ammunition and Specie," show an increase of 91,0881. over the figures of 1907-08. These two items do not benefit the country at large, but only His Highness the Sultan and a few gun merchants and shroffs and capitalists. Share of trade. The percentage of the total trade of Muscat as regards the various countries is as follows: Per Cent. Imports.-The total imports into Muscat amounted to 683,8211. as compared with 656,4387., the figures for the previous year (1907–08). The increase amounts to 27,3831., or a little over 4 cent. per A 2 Rice. There has been a marked increase in the import of rice. The price of Rangoon rice during the year under report fell very low, and the local merchants imported a large quantity with the idea of storing it and making a profit. But the price fell instead of rising and the speculators suffered loss. Wheat and other grain.-Under this head are included all kinds of grain except rice. The imports from Persia and Turkey-in-Asia consist mostly of wheat and barley, and from India of pulse, gram and peas. Piece-goods.-The increase is principally due to the larger import of American sheeting which comes to Muscat from Aden. The cloth is extensively purchased by the poorer classes, as it is strong and can be dyed to any colour. Each bale is stated to contain 25 pieces of 30 yards each. The price per bale in Aden ranges from 71. 10s. 8d. to 91. 2s. 8d. The bales are sold in Muscat at from 81. 13s. 4d. to 101. 2s. 8d. Imports from India and Persia show increases of 6,7501. and 1,5201. respectively. Imports from India consist of articles of European manufacture, such as coatings, trouserings, shirtings, chintz, &c. Imports from Persia chiefly consist of a dark coloured cotton stuff with a mixture of crude silk used for women's costumes. Each piece is about 8 yards in length and is sold for 8 dol. (14s.) per piece. Silk and silk goods.-Imports from India contribute 2,2531. to the increase under this head, and imports from Persia 3671. The imports from India consist solely of raw white silk which is coloured locally and used in the preparation of lungies and pugrees (waist cloths and turbans). Imports from Persia consist of silk piece-goods manufactured at Yezd. Yarn and twist. The import under this head was in excess of the demand and a large quantity remained on hand at the close of the year. The increase in the import was due to the low price ruling in the Bombay market. Miscellaneous.-Under this head are included all kinds of miscel laneous articles which are not shown under separate headings in the return. Pine shooks for packing dates, which are included under this head against America, show an increase of 1,8107. They are made from Norwegian or Swedish pine, but are imported by the three American firms who are the purchasers of the local Fard (black) dates. The increase of 2,3181. shown against Persia includes rosewater, dry fruits and carpets, and the increase of 1,4671. against Turkey includes Turkish shawls used for head coverings. Under this head are also included such articles as biscuits and syrups. The United Kingdom at present monopolises the market as regards the former, some 400l. worth of biscuits of British make being imported every year from India. The two general merchants here who deal in this article have now commenced dealing direct with the manufacturers in the United Kingdom. There is a good sale of syrups which are all of French make. The bottles are retailed at 2s. per litre. Traders say that there is a good opening for British-made syrup if it can compete with its French rival. The undermentioned articles show a decrease as compared with last year's import Arms and ammunition.-The decrease is mainly due to the overstocking of the market last year. The following table compiled from information supplied by His Highness's Customs shows the import and the percentage from each country: Belgian Martini action rifles still hold their own as regards the number imported. These rifles are from 6s. 8d. to 13s. 4d. cheaper than those of British manufacture and therefore command a ready sale. Roumania has this year (1908-09) entered the field as a competitor for the sale of condemned army rifles. Oils of all kinds.-The decrease is only fortuitous, the consignment of kerosene oil intended for consumption during the year under review, having arrived at the end of March, 1908, and having been included in last year's return. The Batoum oil which used to be imported has been entirely superseded by the Standard Oil Company's Monkey" and "Snowflake" brands. 66 |